Bottom dump farm cart

Abstract

A bottom dump trailer cart which includes a cargo compartment having a floor equipped with downwardly pivoting dumping panels is constructed such that the panels protect the wheels from the dumped cargo. The cart is capable of riding over the dumped cargo because of the absence of an axle connecting wheels on opposite sides of the cart, and the provision of a rear wall of the compartment which can be caused to pivot upwardly and rearwardly. A tongue assembly extends forwardly of the cargo compartment. An operating mechanism having expanding hinges enables conversion between a dumping state wherein the dumping panels and rear wall are caused to be free-swinging, and a locked transport state wherein the dumping panels are upwardly secured and the rear wall is secured in a vertical position.

1. A bottom dump trailer cart comprising:
 a) a cargo compartment defined by a front wall, paired sidewalls, a rear wall adapted to swing rearwardly and upwardly, and a floor having a pair of pivotably supported dumping panels adapted to swing downwardly to a dumping state which permits gravity discharge of the content of said cargo compartment, 
 b) latching means for controllably preventing movement of said rear wall, 
 c) at least one wheel positioned below each sidewall at a location that receives said panels in the dumping state, 
 d) a tongue assembly extending forwardly of said front wall and having means for releasable attachment to a towing vehicle, and 
 e) operating means which facilitate movement of said panels and latching means to produce said dumping state, and to produce a transport state wherein said panels are upwardly drawn to intercontacting abutment and said rear wall is secured in upright position by said latching means, 
 f) said operating means comprising paired pulling cables attached to a lever member located forwardly of said front wall, and an expanding hinge located beneath each dumping panel and comprised of two elongated arms interconnected by pivot means whereby upward force applied to said pivot means by an associated pulling cable activated by said lever causes scissor-like lateral separation of said arms to force the associated dumping panel upwardly to produce said transport state. 
 
   
   
     2. The cart of  claim 1  further comprising tubular conduits through which said cables extend in their passage between said lever member and each expanding hinge. 
   
   
     3. The cart of  claim 1  further comprised of a vertically elongated member slideably disposed between said arms and slideably engaging said pivot means. 
   
   
     4. The cart of  claim 3  wherein said actuating member has a fulcrum adapted to force apart said arms.